Saturday, September 5, 2009

Given the endless debate on what constitutes a patriot these days, we may be drifting into dangerous water here, but so be it.

Today is the real Flag Day.

The calendar says the holiday is in June. But it's really not. That's the Flag Day of fifth grade civics books. The real celebration happens to coincide with the opening of the college football season.

Look around. Short of the Fourth of July, when have you seen so many flags? On my block alone wave the banners of Tennessee, Clemson, Va Tech, West Virginia, and yes, Alabama.

The license plates run the gamut . . . LSU, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame, both Carolinas. Ohio State plates are like kudzu -- an invasive nuisance that shows signs of taking the neighborhood.

As I sit here early in the countdown to kickoff of Georgia/Oklahoma State, it strikes me how absurd it is to write off Charlotte as a "pro town," whose sole gridiron obsession is the Panthers. That's the business of Sunday. And for anyone who thinks the college games don't matter, I invite them to streets where the burnt oranges and purples and crimsons have sprung up like fall flowers.

Flag Day has rolled back upon us. Celebrate the holiday in your own way. Here's mine. Roll Tide.

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Contributors

Michael Gordon

Allegiance: Alabama
Favorite player: Johnny Musso . . . The Italian Stallion -- Sylvester Stallone is a plagiarist -- played more often in torn garb than the Incredible Hulk. (Musso was also a better blocker.)

Possibly disturbing fact: Trash-talked the infant son of Auburn friends after the kid projectile vomited in my living room the instant after an Alabama touchdown.

Possibly disturbing fact: Have an original 45 of “The Ballad of Archie Who” on the wall at home, right by the “Drink Barq’s – It’s Good” sign.

Courtney St. Onge

Allegiance: Auburn

Favorite player: Bo

Possibly disturbing fact: Had picture taken with Terry Bowden at a meet-and-greet following his undefeated season. Just for fun, I mailed it to him later, autographed by my uncle and me. Who knew he would actually need the "Good luck in your endeavors!"?

Other fact: It was my infant son that Michael Gordon trash-talked. Just so you know.

Possibly disturbing fact: Once thought it would be funny to teach my toddler to say "Roll Tide!" We practiced covertly. Then, one day, my wife the Auburn grad walked in. "Roll Tide!" my son said, perfectly. Turned out to be more funny in the conceptual stage.

Tommy Tomlinson

Allegiance: Georgia

Favorite player: The immortal Herschel Walker, who, by the way, is immortal

Possibly disturbing fact: Slept in car one Georgia-Florida weekend after last-minute decision to go to game. Sneaked into Jacksonville University dorms for showers. Thanks for lax security, Jax!